Children Act 1989

Valid from 01/10/2001

[F1 Preparation for ceasing to be looked after E+W

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 2 Pt. II paras. 19A-19C and preceding cross-headings inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 35, s. 1; S.I. 2001/2191, art. 2; S.I. 2001/2878, art. 2

F2 19A E+W It is the duty of the local authority looking after a child to advise, assist and befriend him with a view to promoting his welfare when they have ceased to look after him.

Textual Amendments

F2 Sch. 2 Pt. II paras. 19A-19C and preceding cross-headings inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 35, s. 1; S.I. 2001/2191, art. 2; S.I. 2001/2878, art. 2

F3 19B (1) A local authority shall have the following additional functions in relation to an eligible child whom they are looking after.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “eligible child” means, subject to sub-paragraph (3), a child who—

(a) is aged sixteen or seventeen; and

(b) has been looked after by a local authority for a prescribed period, or periods amounting in all to a prescribed period, which began after he reached a prescribed age and ended after he reached the age of sixteen.

(3) The Secretary of State may prescribe—

(a) additional categories of eligible children; and

(b) categories of children who are not to be eligible children despite falling within sub-paragraph (2).

(4) For each eligible child, the local authority shall carry out an assessment of his needs with a view to determining what advice, assistance and support it would be appropriate for them to provide him under this Act—

(a) while they are still looking after him; and

(b) after they cease to look after him,

and shall then prepare a pathway plan for him.

(5) The local authority shall keep the pathway plan under regular review.

(6) Any such review may be carried out at the same time as a review of the child’s case carried out by virtue of section 26.

(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to assessments for the purposes of sub-paragraph (4).

(8) The regulations may in particular provide for the matters set out in section 23B(6).

Textual Amendments

F3 Sch. 2 Pt. II paras. 19A-19C and preceding cross-headings inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 35, s. 1; S.I. 2001/2191, art. 2; S.I. 2001/2878, art. 2

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 2 pt. II para. 19B(2) restricted (W.) (1.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/2189, reg. 3(2)

F4 19C E+W A local authority shall arrange for each child whom they are looking after who is an eligible child for the purposes of paragraph 19B to have a personal adviser.]

Textual Amendments

F4 Sch. 2 Pt. II paras. 19A-19C and preceding cross-headings inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 35, s. 1; S.I. 2001/2191, art. 2; S.I. 2001/2878, art. 2